Utah County Commission backs state-monument designation for Bridal Veil Falls over one dissent

The Utah County Commission voted 2–1 on Feb. 2 to signal support for state legislation to designate Bridal Veil Falls as a state monument, a step county leaders said would help secure conservation grants and preserve the site while keeping it managed locally.

Commissioner Jason Lee introduced the resolution and thanked state parks, Representative Kevin Stratton, and local conservation partners. Lee said the 'monument' route differs from a state park designation because a monument primarily recognizes a place rather than converting it into a self-sustaining park that could require admission fees. "The state asked us to put this forward so the legislative process can see our intentions," Lee said.

Commissioner Gardner said she supports preserving Bridal Veil Falls but voted no because of concern that state control might eventually require charging a fee, which she said would harm accessibility for low-income residents. "I fear that if we make it a state monument, we will have to charge to sit at the foot of Bridal Veil Falls," she said, adding she prefers the county continue protection using travel-and-tourism funds.

County Attorney Robert Moore briefed commissioners on the property history: the county purchased parcels above the falls in 2014 and entered a conservation easement in December 2020; that easement included an exception to allow state designation discussions. Moore said the proposed resolution expressly states the county intends to provide day‑to‑day management under an agreement with the state's division of parks if the designation proceeds.

Public-works staff described ongoing improvements tied to the site, including water-collection work with Central Utah Water, a planned vault restroom to avoid spring contamination, trail and parking improvements and a pedestrian bridge design expected to be installed in summer. Lee said the state would provide roughly $1 million in one-time funding to assist upgrades if the designation moves forward.

The commission approved the resolution after debate, with a recorded outcome of two votes in favor and one opposed. Commissioners said the vote is a nonbinding signal to state lawmakers and that details of management and any operations agreement would be settled later.

What's next: The resolution will accompany state-level work; commissioners and staff said they will continue negotiating the management agreement and funding details with state parks and conservation partners.